Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I want to thank both the distinguished leader of this effort, Senator Stevens, and Senator Byrd, for working with us to…”

“I want to thank both the distinguished leader of this effort, Senator Stevens, and Senator Byrd, for working with us to try to get this bill through because it is very important. And that has been mentioned this morning. We want to make sure that we get the disaster relief fund replenished. But I think there are a couple of points that need to be made. I want to respond to my colleague from California, to say we are, indeed, friends and we do work on many issues together. I think it is very important that we be able to have debates between friends and know that we disagree on principle and that is exactly what we should do, is disagree on principle without being disagreeable. I think that is very important for all of us to remember. I want to refute a few points that have been made. First, my colleague from North Dakota talks about the people needing help, and he is absolutely right. It is very important that everyone understand that the people are getting help. They are getting all of the disaster relief to which they are entitled under the law right now. In fact, they are getting more than other disaster victims in our country have received because we have seen the terrible pictures. The President made a commitment that they would get 100 percent relief, and they are getting that right now. You see, Mr. President, this bill is not about helping the people who are in need right now; they are being helped.”